19 Thing I've Learned by 19

Whew, what a week! And it's not over yet! Finals are over, thank God, but tomorrow I'm graduating with my associate's degree, and Saturday I'm playing on worship team AND celebrating my nineteenth birthday...which, by the way, if you want to get me a present, I just want an Amazon review on Where the Clouds Catch Fire or Where I Stand. Or both, honestly.
Anyway, I figured that, since I'm nearly finished with two decades of life, I've learned a few things. A few things that, hopefully, some of you will benefit from. So here we go--19 things I've learned by the age of 19.

1.  If you're watching a baby and they start crying, play peek-a-boo with them. If that doesn't work, they might just be too young for it. Try singing and walking around with them--babies love movement! And also, for some reason, Christmas songs.
2.  Mental issues, like stress and anxiety, can have physical symptoms. Sometimes, you'll notice those symptoms before you slow down enough to realize you're stressed out. Exercise and social interaction are both good remedies.
3.  If you or your child have the opportunity to take dual credit college classes in high school, do it. It's so worth it.
4.  Make-up tip of the day: foundation can hide acne, but I'm pretty sure it also causes it. Use it sparingly.
5.  If you need to let out a cathartic scream because you're late for work and forgot your phone, make sure the cleaning lady has left. Better yet, do it in your car.
6.  The ability to do math in your head is more important than most people realize, especially when it comes to figuring percent discounts at stores. Make sure you remember your multiplication tables!
7.  Commas can be subjective--in other words, sometimes you can put a comma there if you want to. Or you don't have to. It's up to you.
8.  You're not supposed to shower with contacts in, but if you do, it's okay.
9.  Don't be afraid of physical labor. It's good for you, and it builds character. Just don't work too hard, especially if you're not used to it.
10.  Homemade foods are almost always healthier than store-bought or even restaurant-made meals. And they're cheaper. And usually yummier, too.
11. Betta fish--heck, pets in general, with the exception of small rodents--are resilient. Plants are less so.
12.  Jesus loves you more than you think He does. Focusing on Him is a great way to improve your mood, especially when you're trying to put up with stupid people.
13.  Some people will get offended no matter what you do. When people insult you or get mad at you over something stupid, it means that they, not you, are a terrible person.
14.  Living your life without giving a crap about what society thinks is really the best way to live. Within reason, of course.
15. You spend more time on your phone than you think you do. App blockers like StayFocused are the best. Social media is pretty pointless, except for advertising and seeing cute staged pictures of peoples' kids.
16.  You hardly ever have to pay full price for a college textbook. Or books in general. There are plenty of websites where you can order anything from textbooks to novels to theological nonfiction for super cheap.
17.  You don't need to wash your hair every day. It saves you time in the shower, shampoo money, and water.
18. Sleep is worth it. There are very few things in life worth sacrificing sleep for. The internet isn't worth it, but people are, and occasionally your job. Remember, your health (in moderation) comes before work, school, church, and social obligations.
19. At this point, I'm pretty sure that the only rules in life are 1) do your best and 2) have fun.